Mayo public meeting to discuss government's migration policy

An organisation named HOME (Holistic Outlook on the Migration Emergency) has issued an invitation to the public to attend an assembly in Market Square, Castlebar, on Saturday, April 8, at 4 p.m.

A statement issued to the local media by the group outlined: "A discussion will be held concerning the government's mass migration policy and the implications for communities in Mayo and around the country.

"The assembly will focus on the lack of communication from national government regarding the relocation of thousands of international protection applicants into the region.

"HOME claim this has been done without any consultation with host communities."

Stephen Kerr, a citizen journalist from Breaffy, and one of the founders for the group, stated: “I have attempted to get information on the units currently being used to house asylum seekers in Mayo, as well as units earmarked for the future asylum seekers but very little information is forthcoming.

"We established the group to encourage government engagement with the people.

"Local councillors are being kept in the dark also and we see this as a very serious erosion of our democracy.

"Many people have serious concerns in terms of how the country is going to be able to absorb such vast increases in our population given that hospitals, schools and housing are all past their capacity already.

"We want to know if the government are aware, or do they care, about the pressure they are putting us all under.”

HOME was established this year by a group of concerned local residents in response to the growing concerns and questions many citizens are expressing around the government's migration policy.

The statement continued: "HOME advocates for solutions to the migration crisis where an emphasis is placed on doing more for migrants in their home country.

"Last year the state accepted 90,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with reports in national papers suggesting that this number could rise to 180,000 by the end of the year.

"Over the past ten years 190,000 non-Irish nationals made Ireland their home, but now the state wants to artificially add the same amount again in one year.

"As well as the number of rapidly growing international protection applicants being housed, we also have taken in the most refugees per capita of any western EU member state, at 1.4% (78,000) of our population.

"Ireland has a veto under the Amsterdam convention to limit the numbers we are obligated to take and HOME thinks now is past time to assert our national rights.

"Organisers are asking people to attend the assembly to air their views and share their experience.

"A strong show of support on the day will force the state to realise that their migration policy has become a major issue and concerns need to be seriously addressed.

"The platform will be open to anyone with a view on the subject.

"All local representatives have been invited to attend and the assembly will be grateful to hear from those that support the government's stance.

"It is hoped people will take this opportunity to engage in a civic discussion on this important topic."

Added Mr. Kerr: “There has been so much misinformation and serious allegations made against anyone that raises this issue and we want to get down to a meaningful debate on the future of our nation and county if these demographic changes are to continue.

"We hope to have a civil civic discussion. There are better options for everyone involved which are not being discussed and we want to put holistic solutions on the table so everyone can feel happy."